The Department of Television Learning Services (TLS) is one of four television production and/or distribution departments within the WBGU-TV organization. TLS differs from other departments of WBGU-TV both in audience or clientele whom we serve and in the method by which we serve them.

Audience:
The title of the Department of TLS is descriptive of the mission of this office and its audience. We are here to provide instructional television service to those audiences which have a reason to expect such service from us. As part of Bowling Green State University, TLS supports the Role and Mission of BGSU by offering instructional, educational and cultural programs to students, faculty, and staff of the BGSU community using the Digital Video Streaming Service (DVSS).

What is DVSS?:
Digital Video Streaming Services (DVSS) is a replacement and upgrade to the former CCTV system. Television Learning Services (TLS) is now able to stream to your classroom, desktop, or residence hall high quality video assets using the Universities Gigbit Ethernet network. New features to the DVSS system include the ability to play, rewind, and fast forward the video from your classroom or desktop and the ability to reserve video assets for preview or playback from your computer. In addition to this streaming service, TLS has also replaced our online catalogue with a more robust search engine that is capable of searching the programs written description, the program transcript, and can be trained to recognize faces and read text presented on screen.

Staff:
Two full time and many part time staff work to make TLS an efficient and smooth running service. TLS is managed by the Director of Television Learning Services who sets policy, plans, budgets, and oversees the services of TLS. The Coordinator of Television Learning Services is responsible for the daily operations of the library and delivery systems as well as for the training, scheduling and supervision of the part time staff. Numerous students are hired as part time staff to work as TLS assistants.

TLS Programming Sources:
The products which TLS offers to its customers are conveniently delivered instructional television programs. These programs are primarily from the TLS library of videotapes, but may also include programs transmitted live or delivered through other agencies or systems such as PBS or other professional organizations.

Copyright:
The U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 and the "Guidelines for off-air recording of Broadcast Programming for Educational Purposes" (Kastenmeier's committee report) are strictly adhered to by TLS. Only programs which are permitted under the above two documents are recorded and transmitted by TLS.